Dupuytren's Disease
Whether it’s painful numb fingers; deformity or diminished function, the aim of surgery is to help you regain the function you have lost.
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Dupuytren's contracture is an abnormal thickening of tissues in the palm of the hand. The thickened tissues may develop into a hard lump affecting proper function of the hand.
How does it affect the hands?
Over time it can cause one or more fingers to curl (contract) or pull in toward the palm. You may not be able to use your hand for certain things.
What is the disease process?
Dupuytren’s Contracture (DC) is a fibro-proliferative disease of the fascial tissue under the skin of the palm of the hand(s) which results in contractures. It is one of several variants of superficial, fascial fibromatoses that can cause similar contractors in other parts of the body and is a similar pathological process to that which causes “Frozen Shoulder”.
What happens if it is left untreated?
If left untreated, it produces a flexion contracture deformity of the fingers, winding and curling them into the palm.
There is a strong inherited tendency and patients will often be aware of parents, grandparents and uncles and aunts who had it. Sadly, they may often assume that because their relatives seemed to have to accept increasing deformity, interference with function and ultimately sometimes, amputation of digits, they will follow the same path. Too often, I have known this be the reason why patients have put off seeking help.
What can be done to treat it?
Times have changed, surgical techniques (and access to these techniques) has changed and so these days, spotting DC at an early stage and engaging early on is often the difference that leads to a functional hand in old age after prompt intervention and periodic further surgical procedures if needed to prevent progression and lost function.
